Abstract: An air purification system that includes a housing including a pedestal and an outer shell, wherein the outer shell is operable between an extended configuration and a compacted configuration, and includes a filter arranged within the housing along a flow path between an inlet and an outlet of the housing.

Abstract: An air purification system that includes a housing including a pedestal and an outer shell, wherein the outer shell is operable between an extended configuration and a compacted configuration, and includes a filter arranged within the housing along a flow path between an inlet and an outlet of the housing.

Abstract: Solutions for facilitating enhanced video calling functionality. Embodiments include functionality for handling video calling through a communications hub. According to some embodiments, the communications hub is a user supersystem having multiple clients, each with an integrated camera and display, capable of seamlessly handing off video call functionality among the clients. Other embodiments integrate other functionality of the communications hub (e.g., web browsing, multimedia, etc.) into the video call environment.

Abstract: An under-sink waste processing appliance includes a waste separator which extracts liquid from organic waste and a composting aid and passes such extracted liquid to a residential drain line. The remaining solid, in the form of organic pulp, is dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection receptacle.

Abstract: Solutions for capturing and displaying conversation history for providing conversation capture functionality. Some such solutions use a user supersystem as a communications hub to capture and/or generate relevant information for enhancing conversations with contacts, including address book information, contact notes, conversation history information, and/or conversation anchors. The information may then be processed for display to the user via a graphical interface.

Abstract: Solutions for providing integrated task list functionality. Some such solutions use a user supersystem as a communications hub to generate, display, and/or handle user-based tasks for a family group. For example, tasks may be assigned to one or more members of the family and associated with various types of dates, rewards, audits, etc. Family members may then interact with the tasks through the communications hub and/or through other devices (e.g., cell phones, etc.).

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for coupling electronic devices with docking stations. In one aspect, a coupling system comprises a first material in the docking station and a second material in the electronic device. The first material and the second material may each comprise at least one magnet and/or at least one ferromagnetic material that interact magnetically to align the electronic device in an appropriate position with respect to the docking station. The docking station comprises a first set of electrical contacts and the electronic device comprises a second set of electrical contacts. When in the appropriate position, the first set of electrical contacts electrically couples with the second set of electrical contacts. The shapes of the first and second electrical contacts, and the polarities of the magnets/ferromagnetic materials, may be configured to facilitate electrical coupling while avoiding mismatching of the positive/negative terminals of the electrical contacts.

Abstract: Solutions for providing integrated media services, e.g., in the context of communications services offered through a user supersystem configured as an interactive graphical communications hub. For example, interactions with a messaging interface may provide access to media creation functionality, including doodle functionality, in the context of the messaging and/or in the context of other media. In one implementation, the communications interface allows a user to doodle in the context of an image file (e.g., a photo) while in the context of a chat application.

Abstract: Solutions for providing context-driven communications mode determinations. Some such solutions use a communications hub located in a home (e.g., a user supersystem) to facilitate context-driven, multi-modal communications. For example, a tablet system may be used as a graphical communications hub in a family's home, used by the family to communicate to and from the home via multiple communications modes (e.g., family chat, family activities, user-based messaging, etc.) over one or more communications channels. Determination of an appropriate mode for communications may be driven by contextual (rather that channel-based) factors relating to the communications.

Abstract: A measuring tool is used to measure the shape of a person's body. The tool has a belt and at least one measuring tape attached, which extends perpendicularly to the belt. The tool is held to the person's waist with the belt. While the person is standing, shape measurements are typically made at one or more points based on the measuring tape. This measuring tape extends a length sufficient to include the person's seat and hip, where the shape will be measured, but will generally not be as long as the person's leg or long enough to touch the ground.

Abstract: An under-sink waste processing appliance includes a waste separator which extracts liquid from organic waste and a composting aid and passes such extracted liquid to a residential drain line. The remaining solid, in the form of organic pulp, is dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection receptacle.

Abstract: An under-sink waste processing appliance includes a waste separator which extracts liquid from organic waste and passes such extracted liquid to a residential drain line. The remaining solid, in the form of organic pulp, is dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection receptacle.

Abstract: An under-sink waste processing appliance includes a waste separator which extracts liquid from organic waste and passes such extracted liquid to a residential drain line. The remaining solid, in the form of organic pulp, is dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection receptacle.

Abstract: A measuring tool is used to measure the shape of a person's body. The tool has a belt and at least one measuring tape attached, which extends perpendicularly to the belt. The tool is held to the person's waist with the belt. While the person is standing, shape measurements are typically made at one or more points based on the measuring tape. This measuring tape extends a length sufficient to include the person's seat and hip, where the shape will be measured, but will generally not be as long as the person's leg or long enough to touch the ground.

Abstract: A switch includes magnets that provide both mechanical actuation of the switch as well as electrical operation of the switch. A system controller detects a state of the switch and controls operation of one or more systems in a structure based on the state of the switch. The system controller can detect the state of the switch by detecting a position of a magnet of the switch.